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This program is federally funded through the Chafee Foster Care Independence Act, which was enacted to help provide opportunities for youth who age out of the foster care system to attend post-secondary education and training programs. ETV awards can be up to $5,000 per school year to pay for tuition, fees, books housing, transportation and other school–related costs. It is designed to complement the student’s own efforts to secure financial aid to attend post-secondary school. The program is administered by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) through contracts with Ramsey County, Hennepin County, and Lutheran Social Services (LSS)-Willmar to coordinate the program in their assigned areas.
How can we help?
These criteria apply to youth seeking an ETV for the first time, or those who previously completed an application but did not receive an ETV award.
All ETV applicants must be both:
| • Under age 21 at the time of the application deadline |
| • Accepted into an accredited post-secondary or training program (college, vocational, technical or trade school) |
| • In foster care on or after 16th birthday, and continue to be in foster care up to or beyond 18th birthday |
| • Adopted from foster care after 16h birthday |
| • In foster care on or after 16th birthday when a relative/kin accepted a transfer f permanent legal and physical custody through a juvenile court order |
• Are or were under state guardianship (also known as “state wards”).
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The following criteria apply to youth previously awarded an ETV. Youth awarded an ETV prior to age 21 can apply for renewals every year until age 23.
All ETV applicants must:
| • Have received an ETV prior to 21st birthday and have not reached 23rd birthday |
| • Have been accepted into or are enrolled at an accredited post-secondary program |
• Have maintained a grade point average of 2.0 or better.
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ETV funds can only be used at an accredited post-secondary program. The program must admit as regular students only persons with a high school diploma or equivalent, or admit as regular students persons who are beyond the age of compulsory school attendance. The program may be public, private or non-profit. It must be accredited or pre-accredited and authorized to operate in the state.
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| In addition, these programs must meet one of the following criteria: |
| • Awards a bachelor’s degree, or not less than a two-year program that provides credit towards a degree |
| • Provides not less than one year of training towards gainful employment |
• Is a vocational program that provides training for gainful employment and has been in existence for at least two years.
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| An institution does NOT meet the definition if: |
| • More than 50 percent of its courses are offered by correspondence |
| • It enrolls 50 percent or more of its students in correspondence courses |
• It has a student enrollment in which more than 25 percent of the students are incarcerated.
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| Youth can apply for an ETV if the foster care placement was: |
| • In a licensed relative/kin or non-relative foster home, group home, residential or correctional setting, except Red Wing, Thistledew and juvenile detention centers |
| • Made by a county/tribal social services or corrections agency |
• Court-ordered or court-reviewed.
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A transfer of permanent legal and physical custody of a child, ordered by a Minnesota Juvenile Court under Minnesota Statute 260C.201, subdivision 11, occurs when the child has been removed from the care of the parent by previous district or tribal court order. This transfer gives the authority to another person, who becomes the child’s legal and physical custodian, and can make decisions for the child. In this transfer, the court rules that the child cannot return to the parent’s home.
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| A youth may apply for an ETV if the transfer of permanent and legal physical custody meets the following conditions: |
| • The youth is in foster care on or after the 16th birthday |
| • The youth left foster care status when relative/kin accepted transfer of permanent legal and physical custody, and |
| • The transfer was made through juvenile court. |
| Children are placed under the guardianship of the state of Minnesota when courts terminate parents' rights (TPR). They remain under state guardianship until they are adopted, or reach their 18th birthday. Youth under state guardianship at the time of their 18th birthday or after can apply for an ETV, if they are under age 21. |
| Submit the free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), www.fafsa.ed.gov for federal and state financial aid. There should not be a fee for completing and processing the FAFSA. It must be completed before applying for an ETV and submitted with the ETV application. For help completing the FAFSA application, review the Tips for Completing FAFSA. Answers to questions frequently asked about students in foster care, legal guardianship, homeless youth or those with parents who are unmarried, separated, divorces or widowed are provided in a document developed by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. |
Depending on where the applicant lives, the FAFSA should also be sent to an appropriate Minnesota agency. The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) administers the program and contracts with Ramsey County, Hennepin County, and Lutheran Social Services (LSS)-Willmar to coordinate the ETV program for their assigned areas.
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To apply for an ETV program, review the programs below to determine which one describes you.
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Statewide program: Youth living in Ramsey or Hennepin Counties who do not have a worker or residents of any other Minnesota county or Indian reservation should apply to the Minnesota Department of Human Services and participate in the Lutheran Social Services (LSS) – Willmar ETV program. For questions about the program, e-mail DHS.ETVcoordinator@state.mn.us or call (651) 431-4663. The application is available on the DHS Web site. The application deadline is July 1.
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Ramsey County program: Youth with a Ramsey County social worker should apply to and participate in the Ramsey County ETV program. The application is available here. July 1 is the deadline for youth planning to attend school in the fall. Youth applying for both fall and spring semesters do not need to submit a second application. January 1 is the deadline for students planning to attend school in January. For further information about application deadlines and other aspects of the program, contact Gayle Kittleson, Gayle.Kittleson@co.ramsey.mn.us, (651) 266-4705.
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| Hennepin County program: Youth with a Hennepin County worker should apply to and participate in the Hennepin County ETV program. For an application to this program, or to get further information about application deadlines and other aspects of the program, contact your worker or send an e-mail to HSPH.EYI@co.hennepin.mn.us. |
| Copies of the following supporting documents must be included with the completed application. The documents are needed to determine program eligibility and voucher award amounts: |
| • Financial aid award letter |
| • The most recent transcripts or grades from current school program |
| • Application for the Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) |
| • Post-secondary school or program acceptance letter for initial/first-time applicants and for applicants who changed schools since last applying for an ETV. |
| • If a state other than Minnesota was responsible for placement, this outstate eligibility verification form should be completed by the agency responsible for placement. |
| Complete applications to the statewide program that are received by the deadline and include all of the supporting documents will be reviewed by the ETV committee and determinations will be made in July. Determinations of eligibility and voucher amounts will be delayed for applicants who did not attach all of the supporting documents. Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted. Ramsey and Hennepin Counties each have somewhat different review and award schedules. |
| • ETV awards are unique to each student and are based on the cost-of-attendance formula established by their school of choice, financial aid award and unmet need. Cost of attendance includes: |
| • Tuition, fees and other equipment or materials required of all students in the same course of study |
| • Books, supplies and an allowance for transportation costs and miscellaneous personal expenses, including computers |
| • Room and board (which may vary depending on whether the student lives at home, in student housing, or in an apartment) |
| • Child care expenses for a student who is a parent |
| • Accommodations related to the student’s disability, such as a personal assistant or specialized equipment that is not paid for by another source |
| • Student loan fees or insurance premiums on the student loan. |
| These sites provide cost-of-attendance information of schools in Minnesota and neighboring states: |
The Minnesota Department of Human Services coordinates the ETV program and contracts with Ramsey County, Hennepin County and Lutheran Social Services (LSS)-Willmar to coordinate the program for their assigned areas. For the purposes of administering the program, the contract agencies provide information about youth awarded ETVs, including the youth’s name, ETV expenditures, and academic status. Information about youth working with LSS-Willmar is shared with DHS under terms described in the application on the Notice of Privacy Practices.
Youth participating in the Statewide and Ramsey County program should review the information on the application authorization for release of information and participation agreement. |
| Youth awarded an ETV should: |
| • Respond to e-mails or messages from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) and Lutheran Social Service (LSS)-Willmar staff and your mentor. ETV recipients who do not respond within two weeks after the third attempt at contact by Lutheran Social Services may forfeit their ETV. |
| • Meet and maintain contact with a designated mentor. |
| • Maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average. |
| • Contact LSS-Willmar immediately if the ETV award will not be used because the education program was not started or was dropped, or if there is a withdrawal from any class, placed on academic probation, provide contact information updates (address, phone number, e-mail address) |
| • Provide LSS-Willmar a copy of each semester's transcript to verify grade point average and number of credits completed. |
| • Maintain eligibility for financial aid. |
| • Submit a new ETV application for each academic year that financial assistance is needed. |
| Lutheran Social Service-Willmar staff will: |
| • Release and direct ETV funds to cover the attendance costs of the youth’s post-secondary program. |
| • Monitor the youth’s educational progress by reviewing each semester’s transcript. |
| • Act as mentor for assigned youth. |
| Mentors are responsible for: |
| • Providing help with school, identifying resources and answering questions throughout the school year. |
| • Communicating with the youth periodically to build a trusting relationship, providing guidance, and supporting them academically and emotionally. |
| • Completing the Mentor Report form at least two times per year and send to DHS. |
| • Providing the Department of Human Services feedback about the ETV Program/mentoring. |
| • Youth awarded ETVs will be connected with a mentor. Youth can identify a mentor or will be connected with one. The ETV program has expectations of mentors working with youth which include: |
| • Providing help with school, identifying resources and answering questions throughout the school year |
| • Communicating with the youth periodically to build a trusting relationship, providing guidance, and supporting them academically and emotionally |
| • Completing the Mentor Progress Report form at least two times per year and send to DHS |
| • Providing feedback to the Department of Human Services about the ETV Program/mentoring |
| • Reviewing the calendar and suggested topics. |
| In addition to discussing personal and academic progress, mentors can focus on the following topics throughout the year. |
| • Fall: Budgeting, school and extracurricular activities, class schedules |
| • Winter: Semester grades, discuss Thanksgiving and holiday plans. |
| • Spring: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and ETV applications for July 1 deadline. Discuss summer employment or school options. |
| The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) administers the program and contracts with Ramsey County, Hennepin County, and Lutheran Social Services (LSS)-Willmar to coordinate the ETV program for their assigned areas. |
| Youth with a Ramsey County social worker: |
| • Apply to and participate in the Ramsey County ETV Program. |
| Youth with a Hennepin County worker: |
| • Apply to and participate in the Hennepin County ETV Program. |
• Apply to the Minnesota Department of Human Services and participate in the Lutheran Social Services (LSS)–Willmar ETV Program. Send an e-mail to DHS.ETVcoordinator@state.mn.us or call (651) 431-4663
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The Alan Page Foundation offers scholarships to students of color who show financial need and plan to attend a Minnesota college.
The College Board provides information on financial aid, with sections for students and parents.
College Cost Reduction and Access Act would provide new protections, in addition to those in current law, to ensure that families can continue to access the loans they need to pay for college.
The Ethel Curry Scholarship offers scholarships to American Indian students.
The Financial Aid Information page has links to student financial aid. It is a comprehensive source of student financial aid information, advice and tools.
The Minnesota Higher Education Services Office provides information on the financial aid process and financial aid programs, including an interactive financial aid estimator, Minnesota tuition and fees chart, an online tuition reciprocity application, and loan counseling and repayment calculator.
Minority Scholarships Gateway List created by Black Excel
The National Foster Parent Association offers scholarships for foster care youth who wish to further their education beyond high school, including college or university studies, vocational and job training and correspondence courses, including the GED. Click on Tools and Resources and then Youth Scholarships.
The Orphan Foundation offers scholarships to youth who have spent one year or more in out-of-home placement. Many Minnesota youth have been scholarship recipients.
The Power of You covers the cost of tuition and fees for two years, or up to 72credits, at Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) Saint Paul College or Metropolitan State University for youth graduating from a Minneapolis or Saint Paul public high school.
Nellie Mae Financial Assistance is a New England Loan Marketing Association. It provides federal and private student loans to students and families across the country. The Web site includes information for students thinking about oral ready in college, parents and financial aid administrators and guidance counselors.
The Student Loan Marketing Association (Sallie Mae) provides information to help families learn about planning and paying for college. http://www.salliemae.com Interactive calculators and a glossary of financial aid terms, as well as a link to the college preparation Web site at http://www.wiredscholar.com is included.
FastWeb is a free service that matches students with access to information on 600,000 scholarships, fellowships, internships, grants and loans from corporations, institutions, philanthropic organizations, foundations and clubs.
Student Gateway to the U.S. Government has compiled a variety of student aid information and tools for students and administrators. |
YouthCorner offers online access to statewide community resources for youth. Resource topics include housing, education, jobs, money management, legal, healthcare, and transportation and community connections. Information can be accessed by topic area or location throughout the state. Go to MinnesotaHelp.info, Special Topics and click on Youth Corner.
The Internet System for Education and Employment Knowledge (ISEEK) has information on careers, higher education options, financial aid and jobs.
College is Possible is sponsored by the Coalition of Americas Colleges and Universities and is a resource guide for students, families, and educators. It includes links to recommended books, Web sites and brochures.
Minnesota Office of Higher Education offers publications on financial aid, work books and guides, and checklists. |
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